Putting trainer apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

A shoulder rotation clip as a putting trainer to assist a golfer in repetitive drills to improve the skills necessary to strike a golf ball in a straight manner and drop the ball into the hole on a putting green. The shoulder rotation clip is used in conjunction with existing alignment rods to prevent twisting of the wrists and arms to improve a golfer&#39;s putting stroke.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/013,427 filed on Jun. 20, 2018 entitled PUTTING TRAINER AND METHODS OF USE that claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/616,698 filed Jan. 12, 2018 entitled PUTTING TRAINER AND METHODS OF USE which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a putting trainer to assist a golfer in repetitive drills to improve the skills necessary to strike a golf ball in a straight manner and drop the ball into the hole on a putting green. The putting trainer referred to herein as a shoulder rotation clip is to be used in repetitive drills in conjunction with existing alignment rods to prevent twisting of the wrists and arms to improve a golfer's putting stroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In playing golf the ability of a player to reliably putt is paramount to winning the game. While stance, grip and balance are important fundamentals, the stroke and mechanics of hitting the ball with the face of the putter to give the proper direction, angle and speed must be repeatably practiced. Many devices have been developed to reinforce proper skills and improve a golfer's performance. Some having elaborate mechanisms to for example restrict body movement, position the ball or club in proper alignment or use lasers or other electronics to attempt to provide effective methods to train and repetitively drill the golfer in proper technique. What is not known in the prior art is repetitive drill putting trainer that restricts twisting of the arms and wrists and teaches striking of the ball with the face of the club at the “sweet spot” to squarely hit the ball roll at the necessary speed to reach and drop into the hole on the putting green. The prior art further fails to disclose a putting trainer that is of a small enough size that it be easily carried and provide for use both indoors and out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object and advantage of the present invention to provide a putting trainer that provides a training routine that strengthens putting skills for a golfer.

It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a putting trainer that is small and portable in size so that it can be carried and used both indoors and outdoors.

It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a putting trainer comprising a shoulder rotation clip to improve specific skills of alignment and stroke as desired by the golfer.

It is an object and advantage of the present invention that the shoulder rotation clip has a support arm that extends from one side and over the front of the body of the shoulder rotation clip, the support arm configured to flex and separate from the body as the shoulder rotation clip is slid over the shaft of the golf club and flexes back to secure the should rotation clip to the golf club without any additional hardware or attachment fixtures.

It is an object and advantage of the present invention that the shoulder rotation clip is configured for the attachment of existing alignment rods to practice balance and alignment and to restrict non-beneficial of movement of the arms and wrists when swinging.

It is an object and advantage of the present invention that the shoulder rotation clip includes a support arm to firmly attach the should rotation clip to the shaft of a putter and support existing alignment rods without moving, twisting, or sliding along the putter shaft and to prevent the shoulder rotation clip from being forced away and off of the putter shaft when swinging due to the bending of the alignment rods.

It is an object and advantage of the present invention that the shoulder rotation clip be portable to be easily carried and used outdoors on a putting green or putting practice area or inside on a carpeted floor or other flat surface. The portability and ease of use affords for embodiments of the shoulder rotation clip to be referred to herein as the “Rock and Roll Putting Pal™.

It is an object and advantage of the present invention to provide methods of use for the Rock and Roll Putting Pal as a golf training aid.

The present invention is related to a putting trainer, comprising a shoulder rotation clip configured to support existing alignment rods; and wherein skills in putting a golf ball are improved using the putting trainer.

Embodiments, of the shoulder rotation clip of the present invention have a body with bores, a support arm, a relief slot, a shaft cutout, the body configured to support existing alignment rods within the bores and the relief slot configured to provide flex to the support arm to have the support arm, that extends over the body, separate from the body as the shoulder rotation clip is forced over the shaft of a golf club until the shaft is within the shaft cutout releasing the flex to have the support arm secure and retain the shoulder rotation clip on the shaft of the golf club during a golf swing even when the alignment rods bend and apply forces that are directed towards pulling the shoulder rotation clip away from the shaft.

The present invention is also directed to a shoulder rotation clip comprising bore holes within a body configured to support existing alignment rods; a support arm extending from the body forming a relief slot and a shaft cutout between the support arm and the body; and wherein the shoulder rotation clip is configured for attachment to the shaft of a golf club. In some embodiments, the bore holes are tapered.

The present invention is also related to a method of use of the shoulder rotation clip comprising securing a shoulder rotation clip to the shaft of a golf club by sliding the support arm over the shaft of a golf club; inserting an alignment rod in each bore within a body of the shoulder rotation clip; tucking each alignment rod under each arm; gripping the golf club with each wrist below each alignment rod; and thereby restricting non-beneficial movement of the wrists, arms and body when swinging the golf club.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention have been chosen for the purpose of illustration and description, and are shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a shoulder rotation clip of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 1A of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a top view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 1A of the present invention;

FIG. 1D is a left-side elevation view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 1A of the present invention;

FIG. 1E is a right-side elevation view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 1A of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 1A of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 2A of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is a bottom view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 2A of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a left-side elevation view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 2A of the present invention;

FIG. 2E is a right-side elevation view of an embodiment of a shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 2A of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is front perspective view of a further embodiment of a shoulder rotation clip of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a top view of the further embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 3A of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 3A of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the embodiment of the shoulder rotation clip of FIG. 1A of the present invention in use by a golfer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In embodiments of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1A, the shoulder rotation clip 120 is formed with a support arm 122 that extends over a body 124 with a shaft cutout O formed between the support arm 122 and the body 124. A relief slot R extends from the shaft cutout O between the body 124 and the support arm 122 to allow the support arm 122 to flex as the putting shaft 112 is slid into the shaft cutout O and once the shaft is in the shaft cutout O, the support arm 122 returns and is no longer flexed and securely holds the shoulder rotation clip 120 on the putting shaft 112. In some embodiments, the shoulder rotation clip 120 is formed from a resilient, somewhat rigid, lightweight thermoplastic polymer which may be in the shape of a rectangular or square block with a rear portion forming the body 124 and a portion removed exposing the front face 126 of the body 124. As shown in FIG. 1A, the support arm 122 extends from the left side 130 of the body 124. The edges 128 of the body 124 and support arm 122 may be rounded to form smooth contours and remove any sharp edges to make the shoulder rotation clip 120 easy to grasp and maneuver. Cylindrical walls 134 extend through a portion of the body 124 to a circular base 136 to form two bores B, as shown in FIG. 1B.

The support arm 122 has a flat front surface 132 that extends to a rounded or partially rounded tip 138. The rounded tip 138 curves inward and extends along the inner wall 154 of the support arm 122 to the circular front edge 140 of the shaft cutout O. As shown in a top view in FIG. 1C, each of the front and rear semi-circular edges 140 and 148 of the shaft cutout O form a constant radius that extends through the shoulder rotation clip 120. The circular front edge 140 of the shaft cutout O extends from the inner wall 154 of the tip 138 to a front straight edge 142 that forms the relief slot R. A straight or rounded end 144 extends from the front edge 142 to a straight rear edge 146 formed along the front face 126 of the body 124 to form the rear of the relief slot R. The rear edge 146 extends to the rear semi-circular edge 148 of the shaft cutout O. As shown in the left side view in FIG. 1D, the relief slot R also extends through the body 124 to give a sufficient amount of flex to the support arm 122 to provide for the golf club shaft 112 to be slid into the shaft cutout O to securely attach the shoulder rotation clip 120. The circular rear edge 148 of the shaft cutout O extends to the flat surface of the front face 126 with the front face 126 extending to the right side 150 of the body 124. The right side 150 of the body 124 extends around a rounded edge 128 to the rear surface 152 of the body 124. As shown in FIG. 1D, from the left side 130, the bore B is centered within the body 124 between the rear surface 152 and front face 126. The circular rear edge 148 that forms the shaft cutout O is cut into the face 126 of the body 124. The relief slot R is centered between the front face 126 and the inner wall 154 of the support arm 122 with the relief slot R being visible from the right side 150 of the body 124 as shown in FIG. 1E. The circular front edge 140 is cut out of the inner wall 154 of the support arm 122.

As shown in a bottom view in FIG. 2A, the shaft cutout O and relief slot R extend through and the bores B extend partially through the shoulder rotation clip 120. The body 124 is sufficiently rigid and resilient and the bores B are of sufficient depth, as shown in FIG. 2B, to support existing alignment rods 114. As shown in FIG. 2C, the length of the support arm 122 may extend across more than half of the face 126 of the body 124 to position the shaft cutout O in a central portion of the body 124. The support arm 122 may be of any sufficient width to provide resiliency to have the support arm 122 flex and return to securely lock the shoulder rotation clip 120 in place without twisting or sliding along the putting shaft 112. As shown in FIG. 2D from the right-side 150 of the body 124, the relief slot R is visible between the face 126 of the body 124 and the inner wall 154 of the support arm 122. The relief slot R is of a minimal width and extends only a short distance from the shaft cutout O to provide an acceptable amount of give so that when force is applied by pushing the shoulder rotation clip 120 against a golf club shaft 112, the support arm 122 separates from the body 124 to position the shaft 112 properly within the shaft cutout O. Once in position the support arm 122 provides sufficient retaining force to have the shoulder rotation clip 120 remain in position without moving, twisting or sliding on the shaft 112. The shoulder rotation clip 120 is of a rigid, resilient material to support one or two existing alignment rods 114 with the bores B extending through or through only a portion of the body 124. For example, the bores B may extend about ⅔ of the way through the body length to provide sufficient depth for the alignment rods 114 to be seated and securely supported by the shoulder rotation clip 120. As shown in FIG. 2E, the left side 130 of the body 124 is a smooth surface.

Embodiments of the shoulder rotation clip may be of various shapes, sizes and dimensions with a clip, support arm, or other attachment fixture used to secure the shoulder rotation clip to the shaft 112 of a golf club or putter, all embodiments of which are within the scope of the present invention. As an example, a further embodiment of the should rotation clip 160, as shown in FIG. 3A, has a greater curvature 162 and a shorter front face 166 to the body 164 with the shorter front face 166 that is almost completely covered by the support arm 168. The support arm 168 extends from the left side curvature 162 to a rounded tip 170 with a flat front surface 172. An inner wall 174 extends from the tip 170 to a front semi-circular edge 176 that forms the front portion of the shaft cutout O. The front semi-circular edge 176 extends to a front edge 178 of the relief slot R which has a short end 180 that extends to the rear edge 182 of the relief slot R. A rear semi-circular edge 184 extends from the rear edge 182 of the relief slot R to the shorter front face 166. As shown in FIG. 3B in a top view and in FIG. 3C in a bottom view, the shaft cutout O and relief slot R extend through the body 164 and the bores B extend partially through the body an adequate distance to support existing alignment rods 114. Similarly, to other embodiments, the relief slot R provides the appropriate amount of flex to have the support arm 168 separate from the front face 166 of the body 164 and then return to tightly secure the should rotation clip 160 to the shaft 112 of a golf club or putter 102 and hold the shoulder rotation clip 160 in place along the shaft 112 without moving, twisting or sliding even when the golfer is swinging using the alignment rods 114.

In an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4, the small easy to carry Rock and Roll Putting Pal shoulder rotation clip 120 is configured to restrict twisting of the wrists and arms and limits movement of the body when putting. In keeping the face 104 of the putting head 106 square to a golf ball is a key fundamental required to direct the golf ball in a straight line towards the hole on a putting green. Very often when swinging a putter the body may twist, or the wrist or arms may turn which causes the putting head to turn, misaligning the face of the putting head to an open angle that directs the golf ball away from the golfer or to a closed angle that directs the golf ball towards the golfer with either resulting in the golf ball not rolling in a straight line towards the hole on the putting green.

As shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment, the shoulder rotation clip 120 is attached to the putting shaft 112 by sliding the front face 126 of the body 124 along the shaft 112 and pushing to force the support arm 122 to flex sufficiently to slide the putting shaft 112 into the shaft cutout O. The shoulder rotation clip 120 is configured to support one or two alignment rods 114 that are slid into the bores B and are secured by the shoulder rotation clip 120. An alignment rod 114 is tucked under each arm and along the lower rib cage of the golfer. The golfer then holds the putter 102 in a normal grip with each wrist below each alignment rod 114. As the golfer pulls back his arm to swing, the alignment rods 114 bend slightly and press against the wrists and lower body under the golfer's arms restricting movement of the wrists, arms and body limiting the ability for the golfer to twist the body or turn the wrists or arms when swinging. With a secure grip on the putter 102 or other golf club, the face 104 of the putting head 106 remains square to a golf ball. As the golfer pulls back and swings, the curve of the alignment rods 114 applies forces directed to pulling the shoulder rotation clip 120 away from the putting shaft 112. In an important feature of the shoulder rotation clip 120 of the present invention, the support arm 122 extends over the shaft 112 of the putter 102 with the shaft within the shaft cutout O releasing the flex of the support arm 122 to sufficiently and resiliently hold against the forces that are applied by the alignment rods 114 when swinging and thereby have the support arm 122 retain the position of the shoulder rotation clip 120 on the putting shaft 112. The golfer may swing from their shoulders with other movement of their wrists, arms, or body being restricted by the alignment rods 114 and thereby make contact with a golf ball squarely to direct the ball in a straight line. Repeated practice using the Rock and Roll Putting Pal shoulder rotation clip 120, 160 and existing alignment rods 114 will teach the golfer to limit the movement of the body, arms and wrists during a proper golf swing thereby improving the golfer's swinging and putting skills.

The Rock and Roll Putting Pal shoulder rotation clip of the present invention allows a golfer to practice an important drill indoors and out of doors to improve putting skills.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that this is for purposes of illustration. This disclosure is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, since the described embodiments may be changed in detail as will become apparent to those skilled in the art in order to adapt the putting trainer to particular applications, without departing from the scope of the following claims and equivalents of the claimed elements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A putting trainer, comprising: a shoulder rotation clip configured to support existing alignment rods; and wherein skills in putting a golf ball are improved using the putting trainer.
 2. The putting trainer of claim 1, wherein the shoulder rotation clip having a body with bores, the body configured to support existing alignment rods within the bores.
 3. The putting trainer of claim 2 wherein the bore holes are tapered.
 4. The putting trainer of claim 1, wherein the shoulder rotation clip having a support arm and a shaft cutout, the support arm configured to flex to provide for a shaft of a golf club to be slid into the shaft cutout and return to have the support arm retain the shoulder rotation clip on the shaft of a golf club.
 5. The putting trainer of claim 2, wherein the shoulder rotation clip having a support arm that extends over the body with a shaft cutout formed between the support arm and the body, the support arm configured to flex and return to retain the shoulder rotation clip on the shaft of a golf club.
 6. The putting trainer of claim 1, wherein the shoulder rotation clip having a body with bores and a support arm, the body configured to support existing alignment rods within the bores and the support arm extending over a shaft cutout formed between the support arm and the body to retain the shoulder rotation clip on the shaft of a golf club during a golf swing when the alignment rods bend and apply forces that are directed towards pulling the shoulder rotation clip away from the shaft.
 7. The putting trainer of claim 1 comprising: securing the shoulder rotation clip to the shaft of the golf club; two alignment rods inserted within the shoulder rotation clip; and wherein each alignment rod is tucked under each arm while gripping the golf club with each wrist below each alignment rod; and thereby restricting non-beneficial movement of the wrists, arms and body when swinging the golf club.
 8. A shoulder rotation clip comprising: bore holes within a body configured to support existing alignment rods; a support arm extending from one side and over the body with a relief slot and a shaft cutout formed between the support arm and the body, the relief slot providing for the support arm to flex and return to retain a golf club shaft within the shaft cutout secure the shoulder rotation clip to the shaft of a golf club.
 9. The shoulder rotation clip of claim 8, wherein the body having a top, a bottom, a rear portion, a front face and a support arm extending from the rear portion over a portion of the front face thereby forming a relief slot, the support arm configured to flex to have the support arm separate from the body when force is applied and return to hold and by the flexing and resilient design of the support arm securely attach the shoulder rotation clip on a golf club shaft without screws or external hardware; and wherein the shoulder rotation clip is configured for attachment to the shaft of a golf club in order to configure each of the alignment rods to tuck under an arm while positioning a wrist of the arm below each alignment rod while gripping a golf club and thereby restrict non-beneficial movement of the golfer's wrists, arms and body when swinging the golf club.
 10. A method of use of a putting trainer: securing a shoulder rotation clip to the shaft of the golf club; inserting one or two existing alignment rods within the shoulder rotation clip; tucking each alignment rod under each arm; gripping the golf club with each wrist below each alignment rod; and restricting non-beneficial movement of the wrists, arms and body when swinging the golf club. 